NFL 2019: Rebuilding Reservoir prepared to do hard yards under new coach David Nelson
Reservoir concedes it will face another tough season in the Northern Football League next year as new coach David Nelson looks to put his imprint on the club’s rebuild.
Local Footy
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Footy. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Reservoir concedes it will face another tough season in the Northern Football League next year as new coach David Nelson looks to put his imprint on the club’s rebuild.
The Mustangs went winless in Division 3 in 2018, finishing with a percentage of 32.2 in their second season since returning from recess.
RESERVOIR SAYS THANKS TO OUTGOING COACH COLLINS
NELSON CONFIDENT MUSTANGS’ REBUILD REMAINS ON TRACK
NFL 2019: FIVE ANZAC DAY GAMES IN FIXTURE FOR NEXT SEASON
Nelson, who steered the club’s reserves to a preliminary final, has taken over from Aaron Collins as senior coach.
The club has welcomed about 15-20 new faces in the opening weeks of pre-season and football manager Shane Culpin said it was “starting from scratch”.
“We know where we’re at. We’ll probably be down the bottom again,” Culpin said.
“As long as we see improvement every week, there’s nothing else we can ask for. We’re not in a position to be able to go and buy all these guns.”
Culpin said Reservoir had waved goodbye to several experienced players, with Justin Cluney and Craig Poynter crossing to Jacana.
The Mustangs expect to field a youthful line-up next year and will prioritise fitness during pre-season as they look to run opposition teams ragged.
“We’ve bitten the bullet and said ‘we’ll start from scratch’ and the coaching group is together for a long-term goal, not just a short-term fix,” Culpin said.
“As (Nelson) has done the last few years with the twos, (we’ll be) playing the kids and having a game style and structure that is going to suit the players we have got.
“The game plan will be focused around our speed.”
Culpin said the Mustangs recognised off-field stability would be vital to their chances of future success.
“We have got a plan in place that is going to hopefully evolve next year and the year after,” Culpin said.
“Our first aim is to get the club financially strong. Our main target is the off-field side of things.
“We think once the off-field is in place and we are financially stable, we will be a destination club.”
MORE LOCAL FOOTY NEWS
OFF-SEASON HQ: THE LATEST COACH AND PLAYER MOVES
Son of a gun to lead Fairpark
The son of an Eastern league coaching stalwart will follow in his father’s footsteps as he takes the reins for the first time.
VFL Cat, GFNL gun on the move in major blow
One of the best players in the competition and his brother are heading back to their former club.